Shock absorber for crutches



Aug. 11, 1925.

' H. KING SHOCK. ABSORBER FOR CRUTCHES Filed March 9, 1923 Juuu x for,

Patented Aug. 11, 1925.

UNITE STTES HOWARD KING, OF ALBANY, NEW YORK.

SHOCK ABSORBER FOR CRUTCHES.

Application filed March 9, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD KING, 2. citizen of the United States,residing at Albany, in the county of Albany and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Shock Absorb-- ers forCrutches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in crutches and more particularlyto a cushioning means for the crutch in order to avoid the transmissionof shocks to the user.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a crutchin which a cushioning spring is interposed in the staff in such a manneras to receive and absorb shocks due to the setting of the lower end ofthe crutch on the surface being traveled.

And a still further object of the invention is to provide a crutchhaving a spring cushioning element positioned in the lower end of sameand means for adjusting the tension of the spring element.

And a still further object of my invention is to provide a crutch of theabove indicated character, with means for supporting a sliding foot orlower end of the crutch within a metal sleeve or housing to allow same asliding movement therein which would be absolutely noiseless inoperation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spring shock absorbingcrutch of the above indicated character, which is simple inconstruction, durable, eflicient for the purpose intended, and one thatcan be manufactured and placed on sale at a relatively low cost.

Referring to the accompanying drawing which forms a part of thisspecification,

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of the lower end of acrutch showing same equipped with a shock absorber constructed inaccordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a similar view taken on line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4i of Figure 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in detail, like characters will beused to designate like parts in the difierent views.

In the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the lower end of a crutchstaff, the lower end Serial No. 623,919.

of which is received in a tubular housing or collar 2. Slidably mountedin the lower end of the socket 2 is a plug 3, the lower end of which ispreferably provided. with a suitable foot 4: of rubber or a similarmaterial.

A plate 5 is attached to the extreme end of the staff 1, the plate 5being reduced in thickness for one-half of its portion as at 6, thepurpose of which will be better understood as the description follows.Formed integral with the plate 5 on its underside is a hollow tubularmember 7 which is provided with anenlarged head 8. The hollow tubularmember 7 has its sides recessed to provide openings 9, which are arcuatein shape, as is clearly shown in Figure 1.

A ring plate 10 is positioned within the socket or housing 2 and aroundthe tubular member 7, which is also clearly shown in Figure 1. A coilspring 11 is positioned in the socket 2 between the ring plate 10 and anenlarged head 12 formed on the upper end of the plug 3.

The spring 11 normally forces the plug 4 outwardly until the enlargedhead 12 engages a shoulder formed on the interior walls of the socket.Thus it can be readily seen that the spring absorbs the entire shocksreceived on the cushioned foot 4.

A key 13 which is provided with threads as at 1 1 extends through thewalls of the socket and also through the tubular member 7. A blade 15 isformed integral with the key 13, which extends beyond the side walls ofthe tubular member 7 and engages the ring plate 6. When the key andplate are in the position indicated in Figure 1, the coil spring 11 isheld at its extreme tension. When it is desired to relieve the tensionof the spring 11, the key 13 and blade 15 are rotated to the right orleft, as indicated by dotted lines in Figure 1, which allows the springpin to have various adjustments.

In order to provide a noiseless movement of the plug 3, same is providedwith grooves 16 that align with grooves formed in the walls of thesocket 2, so that ball bearings 17 may be placed in recesses formed bysaid grooves for providing noiseless movement of the plug.

In view of the foregoing description of my invention taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawing, it is thought that any furtherexplanation as to the construction, operation, and objects of same isunnecessary.

While I have shown and described the preferred form of my invention, Irealize that various minor changes may be resorted to, without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, and therefore, Ido not wish to limit myself t the exact details of construction shown,nor to the combination and arrangement of parts.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A device of the character described, comprising a staff, a socketsecured to the lower end thereof, a plug slidable in said socket, aplate carried by the lower end of said staff, a spring interposed insaid socket between said plate and said plug for providing a cushioningelement, and means for adjusting the position of said plate withrelation to said stafi? for varying the tension of said spring,

2. A device of the character described comprising a staff, a tubularcollar secured on the lower end thereof, a plug including a cushionedfoot slidable within said collar, a coil spring interposed in the collarbetween the staff and plug for providing a cushioning element, a platesecured to the extreme end of the stall, a tubular member formedintegrally therewith and provided with an enlarged head, a threaded keyextending through the walls of the tubular member, a ring platepositioned within a socket and around the tubular member, a blade"formed integral with the key and extending beyond the side walls of thetubular member and engaging the ring plate, and means for providing anoiseless movement of the plug.

In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

HOWARD KING.

I/Vitnesses MARGARET KING, PATRICK KING.

